I agree. Very few things get me more upset than hearing about animal cruelty stories, and it utterly astounds me that some states can't get stiff anti-cruelty laws passed! People who abuse/torture or kill animals should *not* just be given a slap on the wrist.

What I want to know is, what can be done to *prevent* animal cruelty? The kinds of people who commit these horrible acts against defenseless animals are seriously disturbed, evil individuals. Something is wrong in the wiring of their brains. They completely lack feelings of empathy; they have a desire to hurt and to have power over something. My concern is that there isn't much that can be done to prevent animals from being abused. Education of children about how wrong it is to abuse or torture or murder an animal? Educate adults to be alert to warning signs that a child or other adult may abuse an animal? Teach people that they must intervene when they see abuse occur and to speak up and tell the police/authorities?

I wish I would never hear another news story about animal cruelty -- ever. It breaks my heart, and it makes me very angry.